Gil also sets time aside to participate in a variety of community fundraisers and events. He jumps into an icy lake every Thanksgiving Day morning to help raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. He also donates time to groups fighting Multiple Sclerosis, The American Heart Association, Connecticut Red Cross, St. Jude, Veteran groups, The Smilow Cancer Center, various 5K charities and many others with great causes.

He looks forward to delivering the weather every weekday morning on NEWS 8, twitter, facebook and instagram too!

8 Things you didn’t know about Gil Simmons

Favorite memory / story from working at News 8?

Too many to list just one! Covering Tropical Storm Sandy is a recent experience that comes to mind. It was a 21 hour work shift that came down to changing weather conditions every minute. I had a sense of satisfaction for getting important information out to our viewers and having their backs during the first significant tropical event since 1985 for our area.

What inspired you to work in television weather?

What is the Blizzard of 1978. The who is a Meteorologist I watched during that storm by the Name of John Ghiorse broadcasting from Providence, Rhode Island.

What is your favorite restaurant in New Haven?

Most of them! 🙂

Who is your favorite musician/ band and/or best concert you ever been to?

I like many different genres of music. I had a great time with my Dad watching Pearl Jam live in Hartford a few years back.

What’s the best dish you can make?

Anything on a grill! From flank steak to asparagus… #grillmaster

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Antarctica. I have been to many places around the world during my six years on active duty in the Marine Corps!